Salgaocar Sports Club maintained their perfect record against East Bengal at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa, for almost a decade after they scurried to a 4-0 victory in a 12th round I-League clash on Thursday.
East Bengal have not won against Salgaocar since the 2001 National Football League and when captain Mehtab Hossain was sent off in the 16th minute for a second bookable offence, it was clear that East Bengal's jinx would continue for some more time.
Goals from Francis Fernandes, Ryuji Sueoka, Elijah Junior and Nicolau Colaco helped Salgaocar score a much needed victory.
East Bengal and Salgaocar started evenly but Mehtab's sending off for successive fouls on Francis Fernandes and Ryuji changed the equation.
Once Mehtab was off and East Bengal reduced to 10-man, Salgaocar enjoyed the upperhand.
Salgaocar opened the account in the 25th minute after Francis Fernandes was at the right place at the right time to give finishing touches to a headed ball from Edeh Chidi.
Salgaocar led 1-0 at the change of ends.
Salgaocar calmed nerves in the 68th minute when Ryuji followed up on a long ball from Thounaojam D. Singh, ran some distance before getting the better of 'keeper Sandip Nandy.
Substitute Junior Elijah then added his name to the scoresheet as he completed a move that was initiated by Marcus Mascarenhas five minutes from close.
Bad got worse for East Bengal in the last minute of play when Nicolau Colaco's ball was headed into his own goal by Nirmal Chhetri.
Salgaocar also finished with 10 players after Biswajit Saha was issued the marching orders.
Ryuji Sueoka was declared Man of the match.
After this win Salgaocar SC leapfrog to 8th position with 16 points from 12 matches. While Kingfisher East Bengal remains at 4th position with 23 points from 12 matches.
Pailan Arrows hold Pune FC 1-1
Pailan Arrow played draw with Pune FC 1-1 played at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Thursday. Jibon Singh scored in 16th minute for Pailan, while Keita Mandjou restored parity for Pune in 43rd minute.
Pune FC are now at 5th position with 19 points from 12 matches. While Pailan Arrows remains at 13th position with 7 points from 12 matches.
Pailan Arrow's goalie Naveen Kumar was awarded Man-of-the-Match award.
Shillong Lajong beat Chirag United 1-0
Riding on a solitary goal by Christopher Shillong Lajong beat Chirag United Kerala 1-0 played at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, in Guwahati, on Thursday. The only goal of the match was scored by Christopher.
Shilling Lajong now have 16 points from 12 matches, while Chirag United Kerala have 8 points from the 12 matches.
